Yikes, can I even receive OTA signal>

BrianM · 4-Jul-2012, 12:37 AM

Report:

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...1349250858e25f

Looking through other posts and their reports, it seems like everyone has substantially stronger reception, and even some of those the replys are saying they need strong outdoor antenna. I'm totally new to this OTA thing (tired of the money bill for something that's not used much), but it seems as though it's not even an option.

FWIW, I would only be able to get signal from the north as my south side is against a rise in the land (hill? might be 200' in elevation gain, I think they call that a mountain down here in Georgia, but it's barely a rise in the land compared to where I grew up in Wyoming). North is Atlanta, and 90 miles driving, though apparently 80 as the crow (signal) flies.

What kind of antenna would be needed? I have a metal roof, not really interest in putting holes in the Top, but eaves are fair game. Plus, it's a tri-level thans to the elevation drop, so 2-story on the north end of the property, but lots of tall/mature trees in all directions too.

Thanks for any/all opinions.

Electron · 4-Jul-2012, 1:06 AM

With a good shot with the antenna with out to much trees obstructions , Many Tv stations/channels will be received.

Install a Winegard HD7698P antenna above the roof , aim the HD7698P antenna at about 0 degree magnetic compass (north).

-->How many Tv's will be connected??<--

Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html.

Having the antenna reception above the trees or mounted installed in such a way that the antenna looks through a gap in the trees or the antenna is located at a place where there are less or no trees is the best for reception.

Here are some antenna mounts , http://www.ronard.com/909911.html , http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html , http://www.ronard.com/Tripods%200703/4712.html , http://www.ronard.com/ychim.html , http://www.ronard.com.
Buy the ronard antenna mounts at solidsignal by typing the word ronard in the solidsignal search box.

http://www.palcoelectronics.com/pe300.aspx

Here are some places to buy antennas and etc. , http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.winegarddirect.com , http://www.amazon.com.

GroundUrMast · 4-Jul-2012, 1:26 AM

How tall are the trees? A Winegard HD7698P with an Antennas Direct PA-18 preamp on top of a push-up mast is an option to consider. This type mast needs to be guyed, but can also be supported in part by an eave bracket.

BrianM · 4-Jul-2012, 1:38 AM

No more than 2 total TVs, and the 2nd only used for 60~90 minutes every other day (it's in our exercise area, we watch TV while doing cardio and for background when doing strength training, but use the built-in DVD for exercise videos mostly).

I'd post up a Google street view, but it's small town GA and there's nothing there. I'll try to take a photo in the morning looking north.

My lot is not large so guylines may not be an option, I probably have less than 15' from the house to either the N or the E corner. Plus, eye-sore that my wife may not be onboard with. I imagine that depends on tree height though....

Thanks for the replys though.

Electron · 4-Jul-2012, 4:40 AM

Ok 1 or 2 tv's , then install a Winegard AP8700 preamp.

For 1 Tv connected use no splitter.

For 2 Tv's connected I recommend a http://hollandelectronics.com.

HFS-2D - 2 way splitter. Very High Quality , low price.

Can buy the splitter at http://www.hollandelectronics.com or http://www.solidsignal.com.

Non of the antenna mounts that I recommened require guy wires.

The so called eye-sore , Will Become a Great Pride Antenna when you are getting all those Crystal Clear Digital Tv Channels for Free.

And when the neighbors see all those Crystal Clear Digital Tv Channels for Free.

They will do what ever it takes to get all those Crystal Clear Digital Tv Channels for Free.

signals unlimited · 4-Jul-2012, 12:12 PM

When installing the recommended antenna, swing it to the South and check for reception of the channels in that direction. Your report shows possible reception, especially channel 11 which is a ground wave signal. If they come in, install a Channel Master 9215 rotor.

Electron · 4-Jul-2012, 2:09 PM

Tv antenna rotators are Not channel surfing friendly.
Reason: Must wait for antenna to rotate.

If.
WTVM channel 11 ABC and Bounce Tv.
WRBL-DT channel 15 CBS and Me-Tv
WLTZ-DT channel 35 NBC and CW.
WLGA channel 30 is Silent , not transmitting.

are Tv stations/channels that you will like to receive then install a second HD7698P antenna and AP8700 preamp aimed at about 200 degree magnetic compass.

2 antenna systems are channel surfing friendly with a remote control A/B coax antenna switch.

The 2 antenna systems can not be connected on to one coax.

The 2 systems have separate , antennas , preamplifiers , coax , separate all the way to the location/s of the Tv/s where the separate coaxes will be connected to a , http://www.radioshack.com , # 15-1968 or http://www.mcmelectronics.com , # 32-4425.

Remote control antenna switch.

signals unlimited · 4-Jul-2012, 4:30 PM

I would try the one antenna aimed toward the south channels first. If they come in you can decide to add a rotor or use two antenna/amplifier combos and the A/B to receive both groups of channels. There are down sides and advantages to both methods.

BrianM · 4-Jul-2012, 11:45 PM

Since there's ~200 foot hill directly to my south (as in, I'm already 50' up that same hill), south Probably won't gain me anything. Or is OTA TV signal like AM radio, where it's not really line of sight?

This is looking north, my house on the left, big trees in the way.

The street runs magnetic north/south.

If anyone wants to offer a money-back guarantee that I'll pick up the signals reliably, then say the word. But it looks like this is a lost cause without installing a 50 foot + structure and I'm not interested in doing that.

Electron · 5-Jul-2012, 1:33 AM

I am happy I live in Arizona desert.

Those are Big thick dense tree leaves and trees.

The trees do look less dense to the north and a little east of the house , the direction of the Tv stations.

As a test of reception a tripod antenna mount can stand on the high peak of the roof of the house without being bolted down.

The HD7698P antenna can be aimed to north and turned to the north west and north east to find the best reception.

Run a coax from the antenna and preamp through a open door or window direct to preamp power supply and to the Tv.

Check the return policies at solidsignal and amazon.

Electron · 5-Jul-2012, 2:07 PM

A tall tree can be used as a antenna mount , http://www.ronard.com/tree_adjust.html.

The photo shows tall trees at the north and south sides of the house.

When mounting a antenna in a tree , cut tree branches away so that branches can not whip around disturb reception and can not whip around and break the antenna/s.

Here are 2 VERY STRONG ANTENNAS that are good for tree mounting.

Aim the antennas to the north.

The C5 comes with a coax coupler combiner that connects VHF C5 antenna and UHF CS2 antenna.

http://www.antennasdirect.com/store/...V-antenna.html.

http://www.antennasdirect.com/store/...V-antenna.html.

BrianM · 5-Jul-2012, 2:38 PM

The N tree isn't actually on my property, but the one in the foreground (on the S side of the property) is. I'll have to give that a look. Right now, we're just going completely dead with TV. Anything we watch will be streaming over the internet or already on my local HTPC.